DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 0215 July 29, 2007
Northern Rockies/High Plains: Numerous fires have exploded this evening over the northern Rockies and are producing dense to very dense smoke. This smoke has merged with residual smoke from last evening and earlier in the day to create a broad area of smoke that covers most of northern and central Idaho, Montana, southern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan and into southwest Manitoba. The fires that are producing the thickest smoke are along the Idaho/Oregon border near Hell's Canyon and in Idaho, Valley and Boise counties in Idaho and in eastern Flathead and Lewis and Clark counties in Montana. The plumes were all moving to the east-northeast. Additional fires are seen in southeast British Columbia about 75 km north of the Idaho border. These fires were also producing thick smoke that was moving to the northeast. California: A fire complex in western Siskiyou county in northern California intensified this evening and began producing more moderate to dense smoke. The smoke was fanning out in 2 directions – one area moving north into Douglas county Oregon and the remainder moving east into central Siskiyou. The long running blaze in central Santa Barbara county is also producing moderate to thick smoke that is moving in 2 different directions. The higher elevation smoke is moving to the north into Kings county while the lower level smoke is spreading south to the eastern Channel Islands. Kansas/Oklahoma: A tremendous number of mainly small, short duration fires was seen across south central Kansas and north central Oklahoma. An area of light smoke associated with these fires was seen over the region with a gradual drift to the north or northwest. Northwest Minnesota/Lake Superior: A cluster of fires mainly in Roseau county in northwest Minnesota has produced an area of moderate smoke that is drifting to the northeast into southeast Manitoba and southwest Ontario. Residual smoke from previous days fires was seen over eastern Lake Superior and adjoining Ontario. The smoke was mainly light. Northwest Canada: A few fires were observed over the northern Yukon and western Northwest Territory west of Great Bear Lake. They were producing light to moderate smoke that was drifting to the west but did not reach the Alaska border. Extensive clouds were seen over Alaska. Ruminski